by Nancy Fraser
Celia jumped back and squealed, “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. How clumsy of me.” She grabbed tissues from a box on Laura’s desk and pretended to blot the panel while smearing it further.
Breanna appeared and gasped. “Oh Laura, what a terrible thing to happen. Celia, you did that on purpose.”
Celia blinked back crocodile tears. “How can you say such a thing? I’m as upset as Laura about this.”
Breanna glared at Celia. “Yeah, sure you are. You are such a conniving, mean-spirited witch.”
Frank’s eyes narrowed. “This is a new low even for you, Celia.”
Laura refused to give the other woman the satisfaction of knowing how upset she was. “I’ll get some paper towels and clean this up. Celia, go on to whatever you’re supposed to be doing.”
“You’re being unfair to blame me. It was an accident.” Celia hurried away as if she were the one who’d been harmed.
Breanna said, “I hope you’re going to report this to Ward.”
Frank shook his head. “You should know Laura better than that.”
Had she not been scrubbing her desk, Breanna and Frank would have seen Laura’s hands shaking with fury. But she pretended to be calm. She was determined to be professional.
“Let’s just forget this incident. I’ll start on another panel immediately. Fortunately, this one was completed two days early. I’ll still make the deadline.”
She couldn’t explain why she wasn’t willing to report Celia. Laura doubted she would complain about the piranha even if Ward and she hadn’t dated. Obviously, her father had been correct.
Breanna glanced the way Celia had fled. “I think we should kidnap her, tie her up, and toss her in the lake.”
Although she would have loved to choke Celia, Laura managed a weak smile. “Don’t even say things like that as a joke. Think how you’d feel if something bad did happen to Celia.”
Breanna practically snorted. “What makes you think I was joking? You think you’re the only one she’s sabotaged?” She turned and went to her desk.
Frank shook his head again. “You’re a heck of a lot nicer than I would be in your position. Should it come up, you have me as a witness to what happened.”
“Thank you, Frank, your support means a lot to me.”
He walked slowly back to his desk.
Ward walked by later and saw her work. “Hmm, I thought you’d have finished that by now.” He frowned. “Usually you’re ready early. Looks as if you’re just starting.”
“I... uh, I had it finished, but decided to make some changes. Don’t worry. I’ll be finished before the deadline.”
His expression was solemn. “I hope so. I learned on the grapevine that Jim Anderson is trying to steal the account away from us.”
She barely glanced up. “But no pressure, right?”
“I didn’t mean to spook you. Someone is always trying to steal away our accounts. You know Anderson is our stiffest competition.”
As if that was supposed to make her feel any better.
When he continued to stand looking over her shoulder, she turned. “Mr. Callahan, don’t you have other employees to second guess?” She hadn’t meant to snap, but she had.
“Whoa!” He leaned near her ear. “Laura? Having a bad day?”
“You have no idea and I intend to keep it that way.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He strolled toward his office.
The rest of the day Breanna handled calls for Laura from other accounts and made it sound as if she were Laura’s personal assistant. Laura skipped lunch to continue working. Late in the afternoon Ward left to meet with a prospective client.
When the ink was dry, Laura put the panels in her portfolio carrier to take them home with her. She wasn’t taking a chance on anything else happening to her work. She thanked Breanna for fielding calls for her and left the office.
She’d been home for several hours and changed into jeans and a sweatshirt and had collapsed on the couch. She was still too upset to sleep. The doorbell rang. When she answered the door, Ward filled the opening.
Fighting to hide her surprise, she gestured toward the room. “Ward... um, come in.”
“So, you had a bad day at the office but didn’t mention why. Care to elaborate?” He laid his coat on a chair.
“No, it was nothing. As you mentioned, I’m usually finished with a project early. Sorry I snapped at you at work, but I suppose I was a little tense because I’d started over. Would you care to sit down?”
He sat on the couch and she joined him.
He opened his briefcase and unfolded the panel she’d consigned to the trash can. “Could this have anything to do with the problem?”
A vise constricted her chest. “Do you go through everyone’s trash?”
“No, but I might start, so be forewarned. Want to explain what happened?”
She shrugged a shoulder, feigning a casual reaction. “Just a mishap. But the new panel looks better than that one did. Would you like to see it?”
“Sure, but why don’t you get me a drink first, or are you afraid I might spill it on the comic?”
Uh oh. “Wh-What would you prefer?” How did he know? What had he heard?
“I prefer the truth and I mean the entire story.”
“You’ll just have to trust me, Ward. Please leave it at that.”
He stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankle. “Hasn’t it been an eventful day? Funny thing happened to me. I had that meeting with Herb Gregory and we’d gone to dinner at Antonelli’s. Who do you suppose I saw in the restaurant as I was leaving?”
She shook her head.
“Frank Nelson and his wife had just arrived to celebrate her birthday. Nancy waved me over to thank me for the flowers that Sherry sent from the company. Fortunately Sherry had clued me in about the flowers. While I was there, Frank told me a story he assured me you’d never tell.
She couldn’t meet Ward’s gaze. “You simply can’t trust anyone. I asked him to let it go and he said he would unless there was trouble.”
“I understand you don’t like to complain against a co-worker, but this is serious. Celia could have delayed production and cost us the account, plus created extra fees for Boggs.”
“But she didn’t. I finished and tomorrow I’ll deliver it. I brought everything home with me so no one can sabotage it.”
“What about next time?”
She stared at Ward. Of course there would be a next time with Celia. Hadn’t Breanna mentioned she’d suffered incidents?
“Ward, I don’t know what to say.”
“I’m angry enough to fire Celia immediately. Her contract is up December 31 and I won’t be renewing it.”
“Celia thinks the account should have been hers. She wanted you to take it from me and give it to her.”
She took his hand. “Ward, this is what I meant when I said it’s not appropriate for us to date one another. See, if I had complained, coworkers would have said that they couldn’t trust me because we were dating and I reported everything to you. Since I didn’t tell you, you’re angry with me.”
“Honey, I’m not angry with you. You’ve been professional and ethical.” He looked into her eyes. “By the way, what’s wrong with reporting everything to me? It’s my company, mine and Vince’s. Why shouldn’t we know what’s going on?”
“You mostly do. But if someone criticizes you or makes a joke about you, they wouldn’t want you to know.”
He leaned back. “Oh yeah? What do they criticize and joke about?”
She held out her hands. “I can’t think of anything I’ve heard, but they must have at some time.”
He made a face. “I suppose. But that’s not the point. I came here to stop this sort of thing from happening. I want your word that you’ll be up front with me from now on.”
She took a deep breath and sat erect, but kept her voice even, “Let me be clear on this. By ‘up front’ do you mean spy for you? Tattle? Rat on coworkers? Please explain. If ou
r positions were reversed, what would you do?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I meant... I meant... Aw, I don’t know what the devil I meant. Look, what I want is for you to trust me. More than trust me. I want you to fall as hard for me as I have for you.”
Surprised at the turn the conversation had taken—and elated—she looked into his gorgeous blue eyes and smiled. “That’s easy. I admit that’s happened times three.”
“Then say you love me and will marry me and we’ll be together forever.”
Her heart pounded so loud he must hear the beat. He’d stolen her breath so she spoke quietly, “You haven’t asked.”
He slid to one knee. “Laura, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Unable to keep joy from bubbling up and forming laughter, she motioned for him to continue. “Because....”
He placed a hand on his heart. “Because I love you more than I thought it possible to love anyone.”
“I will because I love you desperately, adoringly, and will forever.”
After resuming his place on the couch, he pulled her onto his lap for several bone-melting kisses. “I happened to have my paternal grandmother’s ring in my pocket. She was a tiny woman, practically skin and bones, so it may be way too small, but we can have it sized.” He pulled it from his pocket.
He was correct and it was too small, but fit her pinky finger. “You just happened to carry this valuable antique ring around?”
A grin lit his handsome face. “You caught me. I went by Mom’s before I came here. Talk about getting her excited. I told her not to wait up that I’d call her tomorrow. She hopped to her room humming.”
She laid her head against his broad chest. “In my head, I’m singing and dancing around the room. You’ve made me very happy.”
“You’ve made me... well, happy isn’t a strong enough word. How soon can we be wed? Where do you want the ceremony?”
“Maybe we should talk to Doris tomorrow.”
“Coming from you a considerate answer doesn’t surprise me. I hope you won’t keep me waiting long.”
“I’m eager to become Mrs. Ward Callahan. I feel as if I’m floating on air.”
“The best is yet to come, Laura.”
Chapter 12
LAURA ADJUSTED THE neck of her wedding dress. “I hope this color doesn’t shock people.” She smoothed her hand down the bodice of the forest green shantung bodice. She was leaving off the short jacket. Once she saw the dress with a flared skirt and sweetheart neckline she couldn’t resist it, visualizing dancing with Ward.
Helen stood behind her. “It won’t but who cares if it does? It looks appropriate for a Christmas Eve wedding. Be still so I can touch up your hair in back. You must have mussed it when you fastened your mom’s pearls.” Helen’s dress was sky blue and flattered her coloring.
Looking in the mirror, Laura smiled. “We look like the forest and the sky.”
“Doris looks so nice in her lavender. Your wedding photos will be colorful. I tried to make Vince believe you’d decided to go with pink tuxes for the men, but he didn’t bite.”
Laura giggled. “That really would have made for colorful photos, wouldn’t it? I expect the two of you will be the next wedding.”
“We didn’t want to overshadow yours. That’s why we’re planning on Valentine’s Day. Now I wish we’d decided on New Year’s.”
“You still can, although Ward’s arranged a week off for us to go to a tropical paradise. He won’t tell me which one. He only told me the tropical part so I’d know what kind of clothes to bring.”
“We have our schedule worked out and expect his parents to attend. I’m going to resign from the hospital and do home health visits. There’s not as much money but the hours are so much better—strictly eight to five weekdays. By the way, you’re nice to wait until the day after Christmas to leave on your honeymoon.”
“We couldn’t desert Doris at Christmas, especially since this is the first one since Ward’s stepfather died. I can’t thank you enough for inviting Doris, Ward, and me to your folks’ home for Christmas Day. This will be the best one I’ve ever had.”
“I believe you’ve definitely put the magic back into the holiday.”
Helen’s dad, Herb Hampton, had agreed to walk Laura down the aisle. He knocked quietly. “Are you ready, Birdie? Everyone’s in the chapel and the groom is chomping at the bit.”
Helen rolled her eyes and picked up her bouquet. “Dad means Ward is eager. Let’s get you married.”
Since there were only about fifty guests, the ceremony was in the church chapel. When the pianist saw them, she nodded and changed to the wedding march. Those assembled in the pews stood.
Laura let Helen get five steps in front of her then she and Mr. Hampton followed. At the front, the minister smiled at them. Ward stood with Vince as his best man.
Looking handsome as a magazine model and distinguished as a royal diplomat, Ward watched her. She met Ward’s eyes and smiled tremulously. His loving gaze left no doubt of his feelings for her. She focused on him, which made those standing for the procession a blur.
Helen’s mom and sisters had decorated the chapel with white bows on the ends of the pews. An arching trellis at the front was covered in greenery and white flowers. White candles were in the tall candelabra on each side. In addition, the chapel was decorated for Christmas. Although the décor wasn’t unusually spectacular, it was pretty and left no doubt this was a festive celebration.
The minister had known Laura since he’d moved here when she was ten. He’d been delighted to learn of the impending nuptials. Now he beamed at Laura and Ward.
He spoke quietly to them, “I guess you’ll skip the caroling tonight.” Then he raised his voice and guided them through the ceremony.
Afterward he announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present Mr. and Mrs. Callahan.”
They posed for photos then went to the reception in large fellowship hall. A small ensemble played dance music while some guests danced. Others sat at one of the tables scattered at the room’s edges to allow the center for dancing.
Laura and Ward found their places and the music ceased for a while. Looking at the guests, she saw all those from work except Celia. Helen’s family was present, of course. A couple of Laura’s former teachers plus many of her school friends, former neighbors, church friends, and friends of her parents had come.
Vince made a speech that had everyone laughing. In it he insisted Ward chose Christmas Eve to marry so he could save on gifts by combining anniversary and Christmas.
Ward toasted Laura so sweetly that tears gathered in her eyes. They cut their cake and then Ward led her to the dance floor.
“Honey, I’m sorry your parents and my dad aren’t here to see this and that Mom can’t dance right now. The important thing to me is that we’re wed for all eternity. You’ve made me a happy man.”
“You’ve made me so delighted I’m floating on a cloud, Ward. Although Christmas is a celebration of Christ’s birth, it’s also a family time. Because of you Christmas once again is a time of love and happiness and family for me. I’m no longer focused on sad memories. Now I have a heart for the holidays.”
“I look forward to the time when children join us. Whether or not we have them, though, you and I will always be two holiday hearts.
The End
A Note from Caroline Clemmons
HOW EXCITING TO BE a part of this Christmas anthology with some of my favorite authors! The month before Christmas is my favorite time, but I read Christmas stories and watch Christmas movies all year. I’m pleased to bring you Holiday Hearts. I hope you enjoy reading Laura and Ward’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. ~ Caroline
About Caroline Clemmons
THROUGH A CRAZY TWIST of fate, Caroline Clemmons was born in town instead of on a Texas ranch. She writes in a tiny office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their two rescued indoo
r cats—Sebastian the tuxedo cat, and Jasmine the shy Balinese—and their Shih Tzu, Chloe, as well as providing nourishment outdoors for a collection of wild critters who stop by to dine.
The books she creates in her pink cave have made her a best selling and award-winning author. She writes both sweet and sensual romances about the West, both historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery.
When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading books written by her friends, eating out, browsing antique malls, researching genealogy, checking Facebook, and taking the occasional nap.
Web and Social Media Links
Website ~ Goodreads
Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ BookBub
Caroline's Cuties on Facebook ~ Newsletter Sign Up
The Tinsel Tango
Christmas Love Stories (1)
Bonnie Edwards
Best Selling Author
The Tinsel Tango
THE TANGO AKA THE DANCE of Love...
Brenna James is forced by her boss to take an early Christmas break in Dickens to regroup and relax. When she decides to take tango lessons to take her mind off her desired promotion, she finds her instructor, Jett...Smith intriguing and he may not be who he says he is...
Tycoon angel investor Jett Somers is masquerading as a dance instructor while he searches for the inventor of a process that could change the world. Jett’s never had a Christmas before, but his new student Brenna sweeps him up in her family and her Christmas spirit.
Mixed signals and secrets threaten his plans and his hoped-for future with Brenna, the woman he loves. Can one more tango give him everything he longs for?
Dedication
THE TINSEL TANGO is dedicated to my husband, who went to ballroom dance lessons only because I wanted to. (and for not rubbing it in when I was the one without rhythm and couldn’t stop leading)